East of Eden
Starring: Jane Seymour, Lloyd Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, Timothy BottomsStudio: Acorn Media
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Format: Box set, Color, DVD-Video, Subtitled, NTSC
Running Time: 480 minutes
DVD Release: March 3rd 2009
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DVD Review
With a cast that includes Lloyd Bridges, Howard Duff, Anne Baxter, and Karen Allen, this saga explores the nature of good and evil, the origin of sin, and the hope of reconciliation. In its ambitious themes, pervasive Biblical allusions, and abiding reverence for the land, East of Eden stands as a timeless American epic. Winner of an Emmy® for best art direction and Golden Globes® for best miniseries and best actress. DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE exclusive interview with Jane Seymour, biography of John Steinbeck, and cast filmographies. If You Are Among Its Long-Waiting Fans, Enjoy - Rating: 4/5User Reviews
"John Steinbeck's East of Eden" is considered the most faithful screen adaptation of the greatly-loved book of the same name by respected Nobel Prize winning American author John Steinbeck, ( The Grapes of Wrath (Centennial Edition); famously filmed as The Grapes of Wrath). And, of course, Of Mice and Men (Steinbeck Centennial Edition);equally famously filmed as Of Mice and Men ). Steinbeck is said to have always considered it ("Eden") his most characteristic work. However, the TV production has not been available for a long time, and its fans have been hungrily awaiting a rerelease. It now comes to us as a box set of three DVD's, totaling approximately 382 minutes, comprising the three episodes of the original TV mini-series drama as shown on ABC in 1981. Special features of the new set include subtitles; bless their hearts, and a new interview with the series' star, Jane Seymour, best known for the TV show Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Complete Series Megaset.
The lavish, multi-million dollar entertainment, filmed on location in Salinas, California, captures the full arc of Steinbeck's novel, Connecticut to California, American Civil War to World War I, as it traces the troubled men of the Trask family. (The well-known 1955 theatrical version, starring James Dean (East of Eden ) covered only the last, World War I period.) Upon the debut of the television miniseries, it won an Emmy for best art direction and Golden Globes for best miniseries and best actress (Seymour). The series follows three generations of Trask men, from Civil War patriarch Cyrus (Warren Oates); his feuding sons Adam and Charles (Timothy Bottoms, Bruce Boxleitner), and Adam's quarreling fraternal twin sons Aron and Cal (Hart Bochner, Sam Bottoms). Along the way, Cathy/Kate Ames (Jane Seymour) plays an important role in many of their lives. Guest stars include: Lloyd Bridges as Samuel Hamilton, Karen Allen as Abra, Anne Baxter as Faye, Howard Duff as Jules Edwards, Richard Masur as Will Hamilton, Grace Zabriskie as Cathy's mother, and M. Emmet Walsh as sheriff Horace Quinn (yup!).
The story is as much Cathy/Kate's as the Trask men's, and Jane Seymour largely carries it. (I did find that Timothy Bottoms was too light-weight for the job). Furthermore, reviewers as varied as The Boston Globe and The Minneapolis Star-Tribune have considered this Seymour's best work. She herself, although she has nearly 100 characters to her 40-year portfolio, told daytime talk show queen Oprah Winfrey in 2003 that Kate was "the best role of my career." Winfrey said, "I think there was no other Kate. In my mind, you personified all that she was and captured that in a way that I still marvel." (When Winfrey relaunched her book club in 2003, she chose "Eden" as the first selection.) If you're among the fans waiting for this release, enjoy.
Even JAMES DEAN would agree-THIS VERSION IS BEST - Rating: 5/5
This DVD set's quality is better, filming is better, scenery is better, acting is better, Cathy/Kate character is better. THIS IS THE DVD TO BUY. This is better because it has the entire story "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck (Pulitzer AND Nobel Prize winning author). James Dean's version of "East of Eden" made him an overnight star, but it did not tell the full story. As the extra feature "biography of John Steinbeck" quotes Steinbeck in this DVD set: "Everything else I've written has been...practice for this." Comparatively, the Dean film version of the book was practice for this DVD set providing the 1981 TV adaptation.
Jane Seymour (Golden Globe as Cathy/Kate Ames) is powerful and equally convincing as the young Cathy, the runaway Catherine Amesbury, the wife Mrs. Trask, the temptress Kate, and the aging mother of Trask twins. The story is epic and Seymour's role is destined a classic. She serves Kate up like no other actress could have done. In a role that covers decades, she is perfect at every age. This role is far, far different than her Dr. Quinn part. Here she is a devil, not healer. Jane Seymour gives an interview on the extras of this DVD, speaking about her desire for, and winning of this role.
There are so many major characters and minor characters performed so well it is much to tall a task to try listing all. Viewing the cast filmographies demonstrates why. It is indeed an experienced cast, worthy of the Steinbeck novel.
Samuel Hamilton, California blacksmith, well driller, Ulster/Irish farmer, father of 9, be-friends Adam Trask. He is played by Lloyd Bridges, and offers his own stunning performance, complete with his Irish accent. Timothy Bottoms (Adam Trask role) brings this saga together, being present from beginning to end. Adam Trask married Kate, raised her twins, and carried on the family tradition of showing preference to one son over another, as his father, Cyrus (Warren Oates), did. Aaron and Caleb, or Cal (Sam Bottoms)are the twins. Sam Bottoms, has the role that James Dean played. Sam wins, in my book. I should not be saying that, since I live just an Indiana spit & holler from Dean's home town. But Hoosier's tell it like it is. Both men have died, both sadly while much too young, leaving us with unmade film opportunities had they lived longer.
I've watched both DVD presentations and recommend this version for the COMPLETE STORY, much more than just the 30% offered by James Dean and cast. Don't write or count me unhelpful because of this. It was not Dean's fault the earlier writers decided to film only the end portion of the classic book. But, on the other hand, if you're Hoosier, a 50's fan, a James Dean follower, or just for the nostalgic fun--watch the earlier, Dean DVD. It is fun. But, repeating, only the Jane Seymour version of "East of Eden" gives you it all the genius of Steinbeck.
So...John VS Jane? Dean VS Seymour versions? The best solution...buy both, compare them yourself. You will enjoy both, in it's own ways.
At Long Last! - Rating: 5/5
This miniseries is far superior to the James Dean Classic.Almost the full novel's plot is included in this version. Only the Hamilton family is given short shrift along with Kate's tragic end. Jane Seymour is stunning as the evil Cathy. Soon-Tek Oh is every bit her equal in a role that defines quiet heroism. Lloyd Bridges, Karen Allen, Howard Duff, and Anne Baxter are also excellent. Bruce Boxleitner, Richard Masur, and Sam Bottoms are very good. Only Timothy Bottoms isn't quite up to the lead role of Adam. Lee Holdridge's score is phenomonal! The VHS sound transfer version was muffled muddy and I can't wait to hear it. Highly recommended.
Superb - Rating: 5/5
This is a superb version of the story. The definitive version filmed thus far. While it Mr. Bottoms isn't up to the task of the role given him, Jane Seymour is fantastic, as is the rest of the cast. I own this on VHS (in the past year) and have been waiting for a better than VHS quality version for nearly two decades. It's fantastic.
It's About Time! - Rating: 5/5
I've been waiting for this miniseries masterpiece to be immortalized on DVD since the technology hit the market. It's about time! I hope and pray it's the full, uncut version. The VHS versions are all truncated.
